Buying and selling on Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, and other platforms is convenient—but scammers are waiting. Ottawa residents lose money daily to fake listings, payment fraud, and sophisticated schemes targeting both buyers and sellers.
Understanding online marketplace scams helps you enjoy the benefits of these platforms while avoiding the traps.
Key Highlights
TL;DR: Common scams include fake listings, overpayment schemes, phishing links, and stolen goods. Meet in public places for transactions, use cash or secure payment, verify items before paying, and trust your instincts. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Risk Level | High on all platforms |
| 📍 Common Platforms | Kijiji, Facebook, Craigslist |
| 🎟️ Safe Meetup | Public places, police stations |
| ⏰ Report To | Platform, Police, CAFC |
Scams Targeting Buyers
Fake Listings
The most common buyer scam:
How It Works:
- Attractive item listed at great price
- Photos stolen from other listings
- Seller requests payment before meeting
- Money sent, item never received
Red Flags:
- Price significantly below market
- Stock photos instead of real photos
- Seller won’t meet in person
- Urgency to complete transaction
Bait and Switch
Showing one thing, delivering another:
Variations:
- Different condition than pictured
- Older model than advertised
- Counterfeit goods
- Missing parts or accessories
Protection:
- Inspect thoroughly before paying
- Compare serial numbers to listing
- Test electronics before leaving
- Know what you’re buying
Stolen Goods
Buying stolen property has consequences:
Risks:
- Police can seize item
- You lose money paid
- Potential criminal liability
- Supporting theft economy
Warning Signs:
- Price too good for item
- Seller has many similar items
- No documentation available
- Seller nervous or evasive
Illustrative image only.
Scams Targeting Sellers
Overpayment Scheme
Classic fraud targeting sellers:
How It Works:
- Buyer offers to pay more than asking price
- Sends cheque for too much
- Asks you to refund the difference
- Cheque bounces after you’ve sent money
Example:
- You’re selling $500 item
- Buyer sends $800 cheque
- Asks you to wire back $300
- Cheque later bounces, you lose $300
Fake Payment Confirmations
Digital version of overpayment:
Tactics:
- Fake e-Transfer screenshots
- Fake PayPal confirmation emails
- Claims payment is “pending”
- Pressure to release item before verification
Protection:
- Verify payment in your actual account
- Don’t trust screenshots
- Wait for funds to clear
- Never release item before confirmed payment
Shipping Scams
When buyer won’t meet locally:
Warning Signs:
- Buyer can’t meet in person
- Will pay extra for shipping
- Uses unusual shipping method
- Claims to be military/overseas
Risks:
- Fake payment received
- Item shipped but payment fails
- No recourse once item mailed
Safe Transaction Practices
Meeting Safely
Protect yourself in person:
Location:
- Meet in public, well-lit places
- Police station lobbies (many welcome this)
- Busy coffee shops or malls
- During daylight hours
Ottawa Safe Exchange Zones:
- Some police stations offer parking lot areas
- Public library parking lots
- Busy retail parking areas
Personal Safety:
- Tell someone where you’re going
- Bring a friend if valuable item
- Trust your instincts
- Don’t go to private residences alone
Payment Safety
Secure your money:
For Buyers:
- Cash is king (verify bills)
- Meet at seller’s bank for large amounts
- Inspect item completely before paying
- Get receipt for significant purchases
For Sellers:
- Cash preferred
- E-transfers verified in your account
- No cheques from strangers
- Confirm funds before releasing item
Illustrative image only.
Platform-Specific Tips
Kijiji
Ottawa’s popular classifieds:
Safety Features:
- Report suspicious listings
- Check seller reply rate and history
- Use Kijiji messaging (keeps record)
- Review safety guidelines
Red Flags:
- New account with many listings
- Won’t use platform messaging
- Requests unusual payment methods
Facebook Marketplace
Growing in popularity:
Advantages:
- Profile visibility
- Mutual friends indicator
- Messenger records
- Ratings system
Concerns:
- Fake profiles exist
- Scammers copy legitimate profiles
- Privacy considerations
- Verify profile looks real
Craigslist
Use extra caution:
- No user verification
- Anonymous postings
- Higher scam rate
- Meet in public, cash only
Red Flags Summary
Buyer Red Flags
Be cautious if:
- Seller won’t meet in person
- Price is unrealistically low
- Photos look professional/stock
- Seller creating urgency
- Payment required before viewing
- Seller won’t answer questions
- Deal must happen immediately
Seller Red Flags
Be cautious if:
- Buyer offers more than asking price
- Buyer can’t meet locally
- Unusual payment methods requested
- Buyer wants to ship payment
- Someone else picking up item
- Buyer hasn’t seen listing but wants to buy
- Pressure to complete quickly
If You’ve Been Scammed
Take Action
Steps to take:
- Stop communication with scammer
- Document everything—screenshots, messages, payment records
- Report to platform (Kijiji, Facebook, etc.)
- Report to Ottawa Police: 613-236-1222
- Contact bank if payment was electronic
- Report to CAFC: 1-888-495-8501
Recovery
Understand limitations:
- Cash transactions rarely recoverable
- Platform may ban scammer account
- Police reports help track patterns
- Bank may assist with some payment types
- Prevention is best protection
Buying Vehicles
Extra Caution Needed
Car purchases require special care:
Verification:
- Vehicle history report (Carfax)
- VIN verification
- Ownership matches seller ID
- Mechanical inspection
- No liens on vehicle (PPSA search)
Scams to Watch:
- Odometer rollback
- Salvage vehicles not disclosed
- Sellers not actual owners
- Stolen vehicles
Best Practice:
- Meet at seller’s residence (verify ownership)
- See registration documents
- Certified mechanic inspection
- Bank draft at seller’s bank
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it safe to give my phone number to buyers/sellers? A: Use platform messaging when possible. If sharing phone number, consider a Google Voice or secondary number to protect privacy.
Q: Should I meet someone at my home? A: Generally avoid this. If you must (for large items), have someone with you, meet outside, and trust your instincts about the person.
Q: How can I tell if an e-Transfer is real? A: Log into your actual banking app or website. Don’t trust screenshots or emails—confirm the money is actually in your account.
Q: What if someone sends me a certified cheque? A: Even certified cheques can be fake. Your bank may cash it, then reverse it days later when fraud is discovered. Never rely on cheques from strangers.
Q: Is Facebook Marketplace safer because I can see profiles? A: Somewhat, but scammers create fake profiles. A profile that looks real isn’t guarantee of legitimacy. Still follow all safety precautions.
Final Thoughts
Online marketplace scams continue to evolve as platforms and users adapt. The convenience of buying and selling locally comes with real risks that require awareness and precaution.
The best protection is simple: meet in public, verify before paying, trust your instincts, and remember that deals too good to be true usually aren’t true. A few minutes of extra caution can save you from significant financial loss and personal safety risks.
Buy and sell smart, Ottawa.
Source: Ottawa Police Service, Competition Bureau Canada, Kijiji Canada Safety - Compiled for Via Ottawa readers.
For more safety information, visit Ottawa Beware or explore Local News!
